Before the end of summer vacation at many schools nationwide, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology reiterated the idea that it is necessary to carefully consider the closure of schools all over the region even as the infection of the new coronavirus spreads rapidly.
This was shown by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to the Board of Education nationwide on the 20th as an office contact.
Among these, after confirming the policy so far that each local government consults with the public health center to consider the decision to close the school, even though the number of newly infected people nationwide is increasing rapidly, the school closure all over the region is It is a measure that should be taken when stopping the entire social activity, and it is necessary to carefully consider it.
The reason for this is that schools not only guarantee learning opportunities, but also play a welfare role as a place for children and as a safety net, and emphasize that school closures should be avoided, especially for elementary and junior high schools.
For high schools, in areas subject to the state of emergency, we are requesting that students continue their studies by combining staggered school attendance and online learning.
He also touched on infection control measures, saying that basic measures such as avoiding three-cs, wearing masks, and washing hands are also effective for mutant strains, and that children and their families living together should not be sent to school if they have symptoms. Family cooperation is indispensable, such as thorough implementation.
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Hagita "I'm not thinking about requesting a temporary closure of schools nationwide."
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Hagita said, "Schools play a welfare role not only to guarantee learning opportunities and academic ability, but also to guarantee children's whereabouts and health as a safety net, and their importance is infectious diseases. It doesn't change even though is expanding. "
On top of that, regarding the response to the new semester after the summer vacation, "I am not thinking about requesting a temporary school closure nationwide from the national government. It needs to be considered. "
On the other hand, as a preventive measure against the spread of infection in schools, "Infection status varies from region to region, and there are indicators that the number of infections increases dramatically in local governments and that the medical system is taken into consideration. It is conceivable that the school will be temporarily closed within the range. "
Regarding vaccination of teachers, he said, "It is essential to ensure the safety of teachers and prevent infection to children and students." I asked for cooperation.
Measures for the new semester at elementary schools in Shibuya Ward
As the infection of the new coronavirus spreads rapidly, many schools are preparing for infection control measures to resume the summer vacation.
At Sasazuka Elementary School in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, we are checking the infection control measures that teachers have taken so far before the start of the new semester from 30th of this month.
At the entrance of the school building, when more than 500 children went to school, a thermography camera was installed to check for fever, and the teachers checked whether it worked properly.
In addition, large acrylic boards are installed in special classrooms such as the drawing room.
Furthermore, in order to reduce the risk of infection in music classes, we have prepared an electronic keyboard that allows you to practice the keyboard without playing it, instead of playing the keyboard harmonica by mouth.
In May, in Shibuya Ward, where this school is located, we also held online classes using tablet terminals in anticipation of the situation where children would not be able to attend school.
In addition, the teacher in charge contacts the children who have to take a rest every day, and while they are absent, they send a congratulatory message to the children who celebrated their birthdays and have made efforts to take care of their minds.
Principal Norihide Araki of Sasazuka Elementary School said, "It was never easy, but we have tried and errored so that we can teach online in all classes. However, it is very hard for children to not come to school, and parents I'm also worried, so I want to be able to get rid of my anxiety as much as possible. "
Confirmation of infection under 20 years old Approximately 6 times in 1 month
According to the preliminary figures of "Domestic outbreak trends of new coronavirus infection" released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of people under the age of 20 among those confirmed to be infected nationwide in the week until August 17 is 2. There are 2,960 people.
This is more than six times the number of 3,450 people in the week until July 20, about a month ago.
Increasing number of child visits at clinics
From mid-July, children suspected of being infected with the new coronavirus are increasingly receiving medical examinations at clinics in Suginami-ku, Tokyo.
At "Tamura Clinic" in Minamiogikubo, Suginami-ku, when the examination started on the 18th, not only adults but also children who visited with their mother were undergoing PCR tests.
According to the clinic, the number of children who are suspected of being infected with the new coronavirus has been increasing since the middle of last month.
From 19th to 6th August last month, 337 people were tested with PCR, and 99 were positive, of which 23 were children.
All 23 children confirmed to be infected were not hospitalized for home care.
However, it is said that there are a number of cases in which even children have a high fever.
In addition, until now, most children have been infected by their parents at home.
However, recently, there have been cases in which children seem to have been infected with adults, such as the onset of mothers living together after the child has been infected.
In addition, since the follow-up of the health center has not caught up with this clinic, we provide online medical care for patients infected with the new coronavirus and treated at home.
In this case, the whole family is infected and continues to receive medical treatment at home.
Of these, a boy in fifth grade, whose father and mother were infected, was confirmed positive on the 4th of this month and had a fever of 38 degrees and a headache.
The fever has dropped now, but it is said that the coughing continues even after two weeks.
In another family, a 39-year-old father complained of low oxygen saturation and suffocation, and doctors were prescribing medication for moderately ill patients while talking over the phone.
Dr. Tsuyoshi Tamura said, "I have realized that the number of infections in children has increased since mid-July. I am worried that the infection will spread further if the school is restarted. Parents will be infected and children will be infected. I think it is important to take measures such as not forcing the school to go to school when you are not feeling well. "
"On the premise that infections will increase even at school"
Akifumi Tokita, director of the Tokyo Pediatrician Association, which is made up of pediatricians in Tokyo, runs a pediatric clinic in Minato-ku, Tokyo, and examines children suspected of being infected with the new corona virus.
Director Tokita conducts PCR tests and antigen tests on children who have a medical examination due to symptoms such as fever.
In order to understand the infection status of children in detail, we are analyzing the amount of virus when the test with a simple antigen test kit is positive.
If the line of the simple kit appears dark in this test, it means that the amount of virus is high.
Looking at the test results for 105 patients from January to 18th, there were 15 patients who were estimated to have a high viral load.
Of these, 10 have been confirmed positive this month, and we believe that the number of children with high viral load is increasing.
Director Tokita said, "Until now, even if a child is infected, the amount of virus is small and it is rarely transmitted to the surroundings, but I think that there is a possibility that infection between children and from children to adults will occur in the future. I think the cause is the spread of the Delta strain. "
To prevent the spread of the infection, Director Tokita says that it is important to actively promote tests using a simple antigen test kit and strive for early detection.
On top of that, regarding the fact that the school will be reopened soon, "I need to pay close attention to the situation for a few weeks after the school starts, but I think we have to deal with it on the premise that the number of infections will increase at the school site. It is necessary to consult with a medical institution or a medical institution to decide in advance what to do if an infected child appears. If the school is closed, it will have a great adverse effect on the child's mind and body. I want it. "
To present guidelines when infected people appear at government schools
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Hagita discussed with Prime Minister Kan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Tamura, and Minister of Economic Revitalization Nishimura at the Prime Minister's residence on the afternoon of the 20th over measures to prevent school infections for the new semester.
After this, Minister Hagiuda told reporters, "Prime Minister Suga has instructed us to protect the children's whereabouts and create a system that can respond calmly."
Then, the antigen test kit that has already been distributed to high schools will be distributed to kindergartens and elementary and junior high schools to quickly identify infected people, and the school's response will be described in case an infected person appears in the school. It was revealed that it was confirmed that the guidelines were shown.
The guidelines indicate the range of people who will undergo a PCR test when an infected person appears and the period of suspension of attendance of children and students so that they can handle cases where the amount of work done by the health center is large and close contacts are not identified. I want to.
Minister of Economic Revitalization Nishimura "Use of Antigen Test Kit"
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Economic Revitalization Nishimura said, "The antigen test kit can detect positives if it is used by people with symptoms such as feeling a little uncomfortable with their throat. However, we are consulting with the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Hagita to see if it can be used in junior high schools, elementary schools, kindergartens, etc. in the future. "
Minister of State for Regulatory Reform Kono "Early inoculation of faculty and staff"
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, the Minister of State for Regulatory Reform Kono said, "In many prefectures and municipalities, from the perspective of infection control at schools, early vaccination of faculty and staff and vaccination of students during summer vacation are available. It is being done. If the inoculation to faculty and staff is not completed, I would like to request early inoculation by utilizing large-scale inoculation. "